For today, links to two reports from National Public Radio and — in between — to two articles of commentary from Jonathan-Cook.net and MintPress News, both via Consortium News; other articles are accessible by clicking on their names below. (Scroll down for MEDIA 12-5-25, and scroll up for SYRIA, WEST BANK, GAZA, LEBANON and UKRAINE entries.) — MCM

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Skip the holiday parties. Books We Love offers many fantastic recommendations. Reported by Katie Daugert, Sarah Handel, Rebecca Hersher, Matteen Mokalla and Rachel Treisman | NPR  Ahead of the holidays, NPR staffers give their recommendations for some of their favorite books of the year, covering everything from a sci-fi graphic novel to historical fiction. Click HERE later to listen, and perhaps later to read.

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FROM DEC. 5  UK hunger strike is not being televised, by Jonathan Cook | jonathan-cook.net / Consortium News  If we truly had a free media in the UK, rather than one serving the interests only of the state and billionaire class, this would be a front-page news story: . . . READ MORE . . .

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FROM NOV.  25  The richest men in the world are media moguls, by Alan MacLeod | MintPress News / Consortium News  Trump loyalist and CIA contractor Larry Ellison’s purchase of CNN appears imminent, and would mark the latest venture into media for the world’s second-richest individual. But Ellison is not alone. READ MORE . . .

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Musician Tobias Jesso Jr. explores ‘s h i n e,’ his first album in a decade. Eyder Peralta of NPR speaks with singer-songwriter Tobias Jesso Jr. about “s h i n e,” his first new album in 10 years. Click HERE later to listen, and perhaps later to read.

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